(Newser)
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National Hockey League forward Richard Zednik's frightening neck injury on Sunday was chillingly reminiscent of Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk's freak accident in 1989. But the cut in Zednik's neck was more of an immediate threat, say doctors who treated the Florida Panthers player. Zednik's survival can be credited to the swift action of many involved, reports the Buffalo News.

Zednik's immediate decision to make for the bench saved him precious seconds before trainer Dave Zinboi staunched the gush of blood with a towel. Team doctor Les Bisson was sitting near the Panthers' bench, and managed to slow the bleeding until an ambulance arrived. But the luckiest factor for Zednik was that the artery, though "hanging by a thread," wasn't completely severed, which allowed doctors to reattach it.